UPDATE June 15, 2013
On Thursday peaceful demonstrations were held around the world, asking for the release of Pastor Saeed Abedini, an American citizen who has been imprisoned in Iran's Evin Prison since September of 2012, and other prisoners of conscience in Iran.  Twenty to twenty five people gathered at the Pakistani Embassy in Washington, D.C.  Demonstrations were held in Sweden, Switzerland, South Korea, Germany, Hungary, and many other nations.  Please continue to work and pray for the release of all prisoners of faith, conscience, politics, and those who remain in slavery around the world.

Source:  American Center for Law and Justice


UPDATE  May 25, 2013
Pastor Saeed wrote a letter to the church thanking them for their prayers on his behalf.  Here is an excerpt from his letter. 

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me (Acts 1:8).

And only when the Holy Spirit comes can you get strength. Without the strength of God it is impossible to do the will of God. And when we receive strength, then we can be transformed. And when we are transformed, that is when the Church is transformed as well. And when the Church is transformed, then the world will be freed from the chains of sin and will be saved and transformed. When we are all united and chained together, united in our hearts, in one place in one day, and we pray, then we will receive the power from on High and will receive strength and the world will be changed and will be freed from the chains of bondage and will be saved. The same way that I will also be freed from my chains though prayer and strength of the Grace of God.

You can read the whole letter here.

Source:  American Center for Law and Justice



UPDATE  May 18, 2013
Pastor Saeed was recently returned to the general prison population from solitary confinement.  Saeed's fellow prisoners told family members that “he was glowing, ...and was filled with more joy and peace after solitary” than he was before solitary.  The American pastor, incarcerated since September 2012, turned 33 last week.  The American Center for Law and Justice, sponsored a birthday card campaign to encourage him.  He is still suffering from internal bleeding resulting from prison beatings.  He has not received medical treatment.

You can write to Pastor Saeed Abedini at:

Saeed Abedini
Evin Prison
Saadat Abad
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran

Please continue to pray for Saeed and his wife Naghmeh.  She believes the prayers offered on her husband's behalf are enabling him to endure the harsh treatment he is receiving.

Source:  American Center for Law and Justice
 

UPDATE  April 12, 2013
May 7 is Pastor Saeed's birthday.  The American Center for Law and Justice (the firm representing Naghmeh and Saeed with the State Department) are hosting a letter writing campaign.  They want to flood Evin prison with a mass of letters for Saeed's birthday.  So far they have 20,000 letters.  Go here to add your note to the imprisoned American pastor.

Good News regarding the State Department.  John Kerry recently issued a strong statement condemning the imprisonment of Saeed Abedini, and calling for his immediate release, along with the other Iranian prisoners of faith.  The US government also made a strong call for his release to the United Nations. 

• Please add your voice to the letter writing campaign.
  
• Pray that governmental efforts on his behalf will continue. 
• Please continue to encourage your representatives to support Pastor Saeed.

UPDATE March 15, 2013
On Friday, March 15, 2013, The American Center for Law and Justice, represented by Jay and Jordan Sekulow, and Pastor Saeed's wife, Naghmeh, spoke before the Human Rights Commission of the United States House of Representatives, chaired by Tom Lantos.  They presented a petition asking for the pastor's release, signed by 425,000 people from around the world.  They called on the State Department and the White House to do all that it can on behalf of Pastor Saeed, who they maintain is being held hostage in a foreign land, and should be treated as such.  More than 100 members of congress, from both parties, have issued strong calls for his release.  The full weight of the US government should be exercised on behalf of this American citizen.

Source:  Fox News

Lord, I pray for my country.  I pray for John Kerry and President Obama as they face a myriad of truly devastating world events.  Give them wisdom, discernment, understanding, and conviction.  Clear their thoughts of delusions and schemes, and clearly reveal the truth to them.  Lead them in the way You want them to go, and let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Empower the members of the US Congress to stand together on behalf of all religious and political prisoners in the world.  Show them what to do for Pastor Saeed, strengthen them to do what they should, and favor them with Your grace to accomplish Your purpose.  Thank you for using Pastor Saeed in such a powerful way in the lives of the people he lives with in prison.  Let Your kingdom come to Evin Prison in Tehran, and to every other prison where people are being unjustly held because of their religious or political convictions!  In Jesus' powerful Name, Amen.


UPDATE March 11, 2013
On Monday, March 11, 2013, the United Nations Human Rights Council held meetings in Geneva to address the human rights issues in Iran. 

• The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran spoke about Pastor Saeed by name when he gave his report.
• The European Centre for Law and Justice spoke on Pastor Saeed's behalf.
• The European Union responded with their comments, which mentioned several pastors imprisoned in Iran:  "We deplore the systematic harassment of members of religious minorities. We call on the Iranian authorities to refrain from such practices and to ensure respect for freedom of religion and belief. We call for the immediate release of prisoners of conscience, including Pastors Behnam Irani, Farshid Fathi and Saeed Abedini and the leaders of the Baha ́i community."
• Australia spoke out for Pastor Saeed.
• The United States spoke generally, condemning human rights violations in Iran, but did not even MENTION Pastor Saeed Abedini's name, let alone ask for his release!  An American citizen, imprisoned for his religious convictions and tortured in Iran, was not even mentioned by his own government as it addressed the United Nations on human rights issues in Iran--even after a strong international effort had been made on his behalf by many other countries!

UPATE February 23, 2013
Pastor Saeed has sent a letter to his family from prison.  It is very difficult to get letters of this nature out of the prison.  He reports continued attacks from fellow prisoners, tortures, and beatings.  His health is weak, but his faith is strong.  Here is an excerpt from his letter:

"It is during these harsh conditions, that I deeply need God’s Saving Grace so that I can be the fragrant scent of Christ in the dark house of Evin prison. I have often seen the Shining Morning Star in the darkness of this prison and I have seen His amazing and supernatural works. Oh, how beautiful is seeing the light of the Shining Morning Star of Christ in such evil darkness."

You can read the entire letter here, at ACLJ.

Source:  American Center for Law and Justice

UPDATE  January 28, 2013
On Friday, January 25, the US State Department and the White House issued demands for the release of Pastor Saeed Abedini, an American citizen imprisoned in Iran for his work in building orphanages, however instead of being released, his trial ended with a conviction.  He has been sentenced to 8 years in prison for being a "threat to national security".  Human rights organizations are launching an international effort to secure his release. 

What you can do
Pray
Sign a Petition for his release
Write to Saeed in prison to encourage him (see below)

Information Source:  American Center for Law and Justice

Father, this is a blow!  We have been praying so hard for another outcome.  You are the defender of the weak, and you use the weak to lead the strong.  I know that Your grace is enough to support Pastor Saeed through this devastating time, and that You have a great plan for good to come out of this horrible situation, but it's really hard to see that right now.  I ask you to fill Saeed, his family and all those who care about him, with great faith so that all of Your perfect will will be done in his life as it is in heaven.  Strengthen him, his wife, Naghmeh, and his children, Rebecca and Jacob.  Support his parents and keep his family in Iran safe.  Fill that prison with the power of Your presence and let Your light shine through Saeed to all who encounter him.  Make him a blessing to his captors, tormenters, friends, and enemies.  Fill him with the love of Jesus, and Your peace that is beyond all understanding.  Bring victory, Father, to Pastor Saeed, in all its glorious manifestations!  Without more words, in the mighty power of Jesus, Amen. 


UPDATE  January 25, 2013
Pastor Abedini's trial in Iran began this week.  He has been accused of threatening national security because he is involved with supporting house churches.  The judge has been condemned by the European Union because of his harsh judgments.  Saeed's lawyers were not given a charge or access to information about the charges until 10 days before the trial began.  (The pastor, a US citizen, has been incarcerated since September at Evin Prison in Tehran.)  Yesterday, Saeed and his lawyer were banned from the courtroom as several pastors were called to testify.  According to the American Center for Law and Justice, bail has been set numerous times, but the governmental bonding agencies won't recognize it, so Saeed remains in prison, where he has spent a lot of time in solitary confinement, and has been subjected to numerous beatings.  Family members and friends who have been attempting to help him have received threats.  Although the US State Department is aware of the situation, they have yet to make a public demand for the release of Pastor Abedini, even though he is a US citizen.

This morning, when Iranian family members attempted to visit the pastor at Evin Prison, they were told he wasn't there.  No one was able to tell them where he is.  The family is hoping that he was transferred to another ward for medical treatment, but at this time they don't know that to be the case.



What You Can Do
Please pray for Pastor Abedini, his wife and children (at home in Boise, Idaho), his family and friends in Iran, and the judge.

Sign a Petition for Saeed's Release

Write to Naghmed (Saeed's wife) at

Naghmed Abedini
C/O Calvary Chapel Boise
123 Auto Drive
Boise, Idaho 83709

Write to Saeed at

Saeed Abedini
Evin Prison
Saadat Abad
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran

(When writing to prisoners in foreign countries, please be polite and respectful toward the governments of those countries.  Don't mention any organizations from which you received information, as this may make things harder for those in prison.  It may even bring new charges against them.  Use the letters only for encouragement and support.)

Lord, we come before you to lift up Pastor Saeed and his family to You.  He's facing grave charges that could result in the death penalty, before a judge who is known for his harsh sentences.  And now he is missing.  Although his family doesn't know where he is, You do, and wherever he is, that's where You are.  Flood him with Your presence, Your peace, and Your love.  Comfort and protect his family.  Fill them with peace and make Your presence real to them.  Be more real to all of them than the agony of this experience, Father.  We pray for the judge.  Open up his eyes to see You.  Unplug his ears so that he may hear You.  Shine your love through Pastor Saeed so brightly that he lights up the courtroom.  Bring Your saving grace and love into that courtroom, and into the heart, soul, and mind of the judge with the same mighty power that raised Jesus from the dead.  Take what the enemy intended for evil, and use it bring about age enduring good!  Through the blood of Jesus we boldly ask, Amen. 








Original Report
Saeed Abedini, a US citizen visiting his family in Iran, has been indicted by an Iranian court and is facing charges that could lead to the death penalty.  Abedini, born and raised in Iran, converted from Islam to Christianity when he was 20 years old.  The 32 year old pastor became an American citizen in 2010 through his marriage.  He and his wife, Naghmeh, have 2 children--a daughter who is 6, and a son who is 4.  He has been an ordained minister with the American Evangelistic Association since 2008.  He and his family attend Calvary Chapel in Boise, ID.  For the past several years he has visited freely in Iran, however this summer (2012) he was placed under house arrest and imprisoned in September.  He is in the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran, known as a place of daily torture and unspeakable conditions. The government has not yet divulged the charges against him, nor released this information to his family or attorney.  They refuse to recognize his US citizenship.  The only clear information seems to be that Pastor Abedini is in prison because of his faith and his desire to share it with others.

Saeed recently wrote to his family, 

"Prison is a test of faith. I was always worried that the storms of this life would break the ship of faith, but when you stand in the steadfast ship of faith, the storms are like a nice breeze. Nothing can break the ship of faith. These walls have created more fervor for me to love others through sharing the Gospel, but more than that, the walls have deepened my love for my Savior. I feel the prayers of all who are praying for me. I hope to one day meet each one of them face to face and embrace them in my arms."

Pastor Saeed has been held in solitary confinement, but was recently moved to a general prison ward.  Some reports indicate that members of Al Quaeda are in the cell with him and frequently beat him.  He has been abused physically during interrogations, as well, and his family is concerned about his health. His wife and children are at home in the United States (Boise, ID), and are very worried about his situation.  Naghmeh said,

"This is a very, very difficult time for our family. What is happening is hard to understand. During this season of our Savior’s birth, our family - including our two young children - cannot help but feel a huge gap in our midst. Memories of years past tear at our hearts as we desperately pray for Saeed to come home."

The US State Department says it is aware of the case, but cannot comment due to privacy issues.

What You Can Do
Pray
Sign a Petition for Saeed's Release
Write to Naghmed at

Naghmed Abedini
C/O Calvary Chapel Boise
123 Auto Drive
Boise, Idaho 83709

Write to Saeed at

Saeed Abedini
Evin Prison
Saadat Abad
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran

Please note:  When you write to prisoners, please never mention the names of any sources or organizations from which you may have received the information.  This can be very dangerous to the prisoners, and may result in harsher treatment or new charges against them.  It is fine for them to receive letters from individuals.  Be respectful of their country and the laws they live under.


Dear Father in Heaven,
It's almost Christmas and as we think about the birth of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can't help but remember Pastor Saeed and his family.  He's halfway around the world from his wife and children, Lord, in a prison that is infamous for its foul and lawless deeds.  We're encouraged by his letter, Lord, but unable to imagine what it must be like for him there.  We pray for spiritual and physical power, we pray for emotional and mental strength, and we ask for an enormous anointing on his life in Evin Prison.  Make the prison a sanctuary.  Open the hearts and minds of the guards and his fellow inmates to the beauty and glory of Your love and salvation.  It's impossible for those in darkness to see You, Father, but Jesus is the light of the world.  Let His light ignite the darkness in that Tehran prison, and bring forth a great harvest of lives for You.

We pray for his wife and children, and the rest of his family in Iran.  Release them from fear and anxiety, Father.  Fill them with Your peace and presence.  Comfort his children who feel they're forgetting the sound of their dad's voice, and fill them with expectation and trust in You.  There is nothing You can't do, and nothing You won't do to bring Your lost ones home.  Teach us to trust You, and know that nothing happens apart from You or without You.  In Jesus' mighty Name, AMEN.

Infomation Sources:
Fox News
American Center for Law and Justice
CBS News

Robert Asserian, pastor of the Assemblies of God church in Tehran, was arrested on May 21.  His church was invaded by Islamic security forces, and may of his personal belongings were confiscated.  No one knows where he was taken.

A close friend of the Pastor Asserian said, "The church knew it was only a matter of time until something like this happened. I would like to ask the global Church to pray for Pastor Asserian; he is a much-loved pastor, husband and father of two young sons. Please also pray for the whole church at this traumatic time. I would like to see the international community holding Iranian authorities to account for this incident, which is just one example of the regime's systematic and flagrant abuse of Iranian freedoms."

Father in Heaven,
I thank you for Article 18 (UN Declaration of Human Rights) that states that everyone has the right to freedom of religion and conscience.  I pray that You will raise up mighty support for all people who are suffering because of their relation with You, and for reasons of conscience.  I pray that the international community will take a strong stand against religious persecution, and move together against all abuses world wide.  But even with that, Your word says that we, Your peculiar people, have been called to suffer, to "fill up what's left of the sufferings of Christ," and that suffering brings fellowship with him, so I ask you to fill up the lives of all those who are suffering with the life of Jesus.  Make his presence real in their lives, fill up their prisons with Your glory and grace, and let Your kingdom come to the hearts of everyone who is being treated unjustly.  I thank you for this pastor and his congregation.  Be all they need, in all of them, all the time, Father.  Overcome evil with Your good in every way, in every need, in every circumstance.  Teach us to pray faithfully and consistently for those who are in such fearful places, and enduring such unspeakable acts.  In Jesus mighty name, and for Your great glory!  Amen.


Sources:
Voice of the Martyrs
Elam Ministries
Article 18

Amnesty International released a report this month cataloging human rights violations by the government of Eritrea.  The report states that the government has been using “arbitrary arrest and detention without trial on a vast scale to crush all actual and suspected opposition, to silence government critics, and to punish anyone who refuses to comply with the restrictions on human rights imposed by the government.”  This practice began following the independence of the country in 1991, and is widespread today.  Open Doors estimates that about 1,200 people are currently imprisoned in the country because of their religious beliefs, although other organizations say the number is much greater.  191 Christians have been arrested this year alone, and are being kept in harsh prison conditions.  Many suffer from poor health.  There have been no reports of any of these prisoners being released this year.

Authorities recently arrested 37 Christian students from the College of Arts and Social Sciences, in Adi Kihe.  Open Doors believes the students are in the Dekemhare military camp.  Five men from the Church of the Living God were also arrested last week.

“If I am to describe the situation of religious persecution in Eritrea, I would say it is still at its highest level ever, and getting worse,” an Eritrean Christian said last week.   Conditions in the country appear to be harsher than ever before, and are getting worse.

• The Red Cross, and other organizations are not allowed to work or investigate in the country.

• It appears that none of the religious prisoners have benefitted from legal aid or due process.

• Prison records are unavailable.

• Many prisoners have been arrested during national service.  When their service period is over, they are moved to military camps where they are forced into hard labor.  The family of the prisoners is often aware that they have been incarcerated.

• Often times, when prisoners become too ill and death seems likely, they are placed under house arrest.

Church leaders have asked for prayer for the leaders of their country, strength to continue their pastoral ministries even under severe persecution, endurance to obey the laws of the land as much as is possible without disobeying God, and to wisely and humbly work with the government to change the political and religious laws.


Father in heaven, You are the author of all governments on earth.  You bring them to power and You bring them down from power.  You have established the leaders of Eritrea, and they are working to accomplish Your plan in that country, no matter what it may look like to us.  Fill Your people with Your joy, peace, and love.  Empower contentment to fill every nook and cranny of their lives.  Give them wisdom, communion, and unity, whether they are in prison or at home, to live as Your people in a hostile land.  Give the church leaders the physical and emotional strength to minister to their flock, but also to all those around them.  Let the Eritreans see You when they see Your people.  Give them wisdom and understanding as they try to live within the laws of the land, and give them favor with the powers that be as they seek to find solutions to the very difficult conditions of their country.  Surround Eritrea, and flood it with Your healing light.  Let Your kingdom come.  Amen.


Source:  Open Doors

"Caleb", a pastor in Uttar Pradesh, was recently attacked during a church service.  He was taken outside, tied to a tree, and beaten.  His arm was broken during the attack.  The church has often been threatened by high caste families, as they refuse to offer sacrifices to Hindu goddesses, and participate in other Hindu events.


Please pray for "Caleb" and the other members of his church, and all the people in his village.  Pray that "Caleb" will heal, physically and emotionally, and that he and his fellow Christians will live in such a way as to bring love and respect to everyone in their village.


Father, we lift up our brothers and sisters in India, and all around the world, who are surrounded by threats, persecution, and death.  We pray for endurance and courage, for love and peace, and that the joy of Jesus will be their constant strength.  Fill the hearts and minds of these followers of Jesus with his love, mercy, and grace toward those who fear them and are opposed to them.  Let Your light so shine, that all may see their good works and glorify You.  Father, please heal Caleb's arm.  He may not have access to good medical care, but Your words are health to our bones.  Be the strength of "Caleb's" bones.  Heal him emotionally, Lord.  Remove all traces of fear, and replace them with Your encouragement and comfort.  Lift him above his pain, and reveal Yourself to him in a new and deeper way.  We pray the same things for his family and his congregation.  Support them, display Your mighty saving power, and be their very present help during this time of need.  Pour out Your grace upon the villagers, Lord.  Reveal Yourself in all Your glory and kindness to them, and lead them into the kingdom of Jesus, the Son of Your love.  In His glorious name, Amen.


Source:  Voice of the Martyrs

After receiving death threats, Christians fled from the state of Borno in Nigeria.  Many people who did not flee were killed.

• On April 16, terrorists stopped traffic in the village of Dalwa, and separated Christians from Muslims.  All Christians (29 of them) who refused to recite the Shahada (the Muslim confession of faith) and denounce Jesus were killed.

• Three days later, a group of men beat Christians and tore up their property.

• Two weeks later, terrorists burned buildings, and killed many civilians.

• On May 14, Rev. Faye Pama, Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Borno State, was murdered by Boko Haram militants. 

Boko Haram is responsible for these attacks.


Source:  Voice of the Martyrs


Father, I pray for the people of Boko Haram who are causing so much terror in African countries.  I pray that You would pour out Your mercy and grace upon them, reveal Yourself to them in all Your power and glory, and bring them to You.  I pray for the people of Nigeria who are being terrorized, and killed, every day by this group of extremists.  I thank You that You are with each person, and I ask You to show Your presence to them.  Strengthen them, encourage them, and support them.  Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed with what they are going through I don't even have words to say, so I thank You that Your Spirit prays for me on their behalf.  I put them all in Your hands, Lord God Almighty.  Amen.

Last year, just about this time, Jackson and Demaris Kioko were married.  A week after their wedding, Jackson and his friend, Benjamin Juma, set off on an evangelistic campaign in Mombasa.  The two men were attacked by a mob, and burned to ashes.  This week Gladys Juma, Benjamin's widow, wrote a letter to fellow Christians.  Here's a little part of what she said:

Dear Open Doors friends, I want to take the opportunity to thank you for your prayer and support for me and my four children since the murder of my husband almost a year ago.

I want you all to know that God has been so faithful to me. He has given me and the children a lot of physical and spiritual favor. We are healthy and have everything we need. And we have been showered with love and care from Christians around the world. The Lord has been using your prayers to strengthen me. There have been times when I remained standing only because I knew someone somewhere was lifting me up to our Lord in prayer.

You can read the whole letter here.

Thank you for all of your prayers on behalf of Gladys, Demaris, and the thousands of other people who have lost family members and friends because of persecution and slavery.  Keep on, folks!  It makes a difference!

You can write a note to Gladys here.


Source:  Open Doors


Father, You continue to amaze us through the blessing of allowing us to hear directly from those we are praying for.  Thank You for Your tender mercies and Your loving care of Gladys and her children.  Thank You for the strength You've given her, the endurance she is living, and the provision of all her needs.  I pray that all those around her will be completely amazed at Your work in her life, and that her children will know Your presence every minute of their lives.  May Benjamin's life and death continue to reap a harvest for You.  Thank You for all You give to us, all You do for us, and Your amazing love that would cause You to die for us.  It's all about You!  I love You, Amen.

Christians are leaving the Middle East in droves due to increased persecution--they are leaving the very lands which gave birth to their religion, and where they have worshiped, and been a part of society, for thousands of years.  According to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom,  “the flight of Christians out of the region (Middle East) is unprecedented and it’s increasing year by year.” In our lifetime alone “Christians might disappear altogether from Iraq, Egypt and Afghanistan.”

• Open Doors estimates that there are 300,000-350,000 Christians left in Iraq.  There were 1.2 million before Saddam Hussein was toppled from power.

• The Egyptian Coptic church has existed for 1,400 years, with about 10% of Egypt's citizens being Christians.  A dramatic surge in persecution and "blasphemy" accusations has occurred since the Muslim Brotherhood came into power following the fall of Hosni Mubarak.

• Christians are targeted by both sides of the civil war in Syria, and have been completely wiped out of many cities and towns.  An estimated 4.25 million people have been driven from their homes, and 1.4 million have left the country all together.

• In Morocco, a governmental organization has issued a fatwa, calling for the death of Muslims who convert to Christianity.

• Tanzania, long considered one of the safest African nations, and relatively religiously free, is becoming a greater hot spot of persecution, terrorism, bombings, and death for Christians each day.

At the same time that there appears to be a concerted effort at eradicating Christianity in the region in which it was born, more and more Muslims are converting than in the thousands of years before this century.  (See DREAMS AND VISIONS:  Is Jesus Awakening the Muslim World?  by Tom Doyle, and Greg Webster.)


Father in heaven,
My country has invested an enormous amount of people and resources in Iraq, Afghanistan, and most of the countries in the Middle East, and we've seen the deaths of thousands of our men and women there.  Yet the aftermath of our interventions seem to have brought disaster to many of Your children.  One country after another seems to be stepping up its persecution against Christians, although Muslims and Christians have lived together in these places for centuries.  At the same time that persecution is increasing, more and more people are turning to Jesus!  What an amazing situation.  Even though a number of governments have outlawed religious conversions, even punishing them by imprisonment, and at least one calling for death, conversions continue to occur in record numbers.  Pastor Saeed Abedini, himself imprisoned in Evin Prison in Baghdad, states that he has seen many people in that infamous prison turn to You!  This is the way You work, and it is astonishing, and certainly not at all like the way we work.  We thank You for all the precious people living in Your lands.  We pray for their salvation, that You will reveal Yourself to every person in the region, from the least to the greatest.  We ask for strength, wisdom, revelation knowledge, and the joy of Your very real presence in the lives of each of Your children living in areas where they are targeted because of their love for You.  May grace, love, peace, and joy flow from them to all of their family, friends, and enemies.  Let Your light shine through them, and bring Your kingdom into their lives each day.  In the name of the One who is Mighty to Save, Amen. 


Source:  Open Doors

Two years ago Hernan's father was murdered by rebel groups in Columbia.  Earlier this year his mother was killed by the same group.  Hernan and his siblings are now orphans.  You can write to them to encourage them.  Won't you take a few minutes to support the children of two martyrs?  And pray for them as they adjust, yet again, to a new life without either of their parents.


Dear Father of Hernan,
Pour Your Spirit into the lives of these children who have lost both of their parents in horrible ways.  Children need parents, and You've said that You are the Father of the fatherless.  Be the Mother of the motherless, too, Lord.  Provide for their basic needs.  Give them the schooling they need to become contributing adults.  Flood their lives with the love they need to grow emotionally healthy.  Teach them the spiritual principles they need to grow in Your knowledge and grace.  Be an active, living presence within them, and lead them to a firm foundation in Jesus.  Pour out Your grace upon those who are caring for them.  Grow them together into a new family in You.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Source:  Open Doors
Write to Hernan

Pastor Naser Zamen-Dezfuli, his wife, Shahnaz Jayzan, and two associate pastors, Farhad Sabokrouh and Davoud Alijani, were arrested on December 23, 2011 during services at the Assembly of God Church of Ahvaz.  The entire congregation was arrested at this time, including all the children, but they were released hours later.  The four pastors were kept for further interrogation.

Shahnaz was released on bail on January 1, 2012, and the other three on February 21, 2012.  Pastor Farhad, under the conditions of his bail, was not allowed to hold any type of church service, nor could he visit with other Christians.  He was forced to move from Ahvaz to Tehran. 

In October, 2012, all four of them were sentenced to a year in prison for "converting to Christianity, inviting Muslims to convert, and acting against state security through evangelistic activities." 

On May 1, 2012, the state summoned all four of the church's pastors.  Davoud Alijani was sent to Karoon Prison in Ahvaz, Pastor Naser, Shahnaz, and Farhad were all sent to Sepidar Prison.

Please pray for each of them, for their families, and for the Assembly of God Church of Ahvaz church members.

Dear Lord,  It seems like so many people are in prison because of their love for You.  It feels so hopeless, much of the time, to me, so I can't even begin to fathom what it must be like for them and their families.  I hold on to the fact that they are not alone--You are with them, they are suffering not just for You but WITH You.  Reveal to them, and to those of us praying for them, the glory and privilege you have given them to suffer what's left of the sufferings of Jesus, fill every part of their lives with the fellowship of Your suffering, and show them the exceeding greatness of the glory that will be revealed because of these very difficult days.  Fill their cells with Your glory, fill their minds with Your thoughts, fill their hearts with Your love, and fill their days with Your heaven.  Deliver them from evil, release them to fulfill the ministry of reconciliation that You have given them, and prosper them in their imprisonment.  Nothing is impossible for You.  You redeem everything!  Invade their lives like never before and bring them into the center of Your heart.  Do great things through them, Father.  Protect their families.  Provide for those who've lost their husbands and fathers.  Be their Husband and their Father in the absence of their earthly ones.  May they all know the power of Your resurrection through the fellowship of Your sufferings.  In Jesus loving name, Amen.

Source:  Voice of the Martyrs
Naser Zamen-Dezfuli
Shahnaz Jayzan
Farhad Sabokrouh
Davoud Alijani

Kapono and his family fled their home in southern Laos on January 9, 2013, just two weeks after choosing to follow Jesus.  Their Buddhist family and friends took their cow and drove them off their 4 acres of land.  The family is staying with a Christian friend in a village nearby. 

Pray that the family will find a new home, with land, so that they are able to make a living. 
Pray for their family and friends in their old village, and acceptance in a new village.

Father God,
We lift up Kapono and his family to You today.  They only knew You for 2 weeks before they lost everything!  Strengthen, support them, and provide for them in a powerful, miraculous way so that they may taste and see the glory of Your Name.  Father, please give them a new home, and a way to earn a living so they can support themselves, and give to others in need.  Pour out Your mercy and grace upon each member of this family, and upon their old home, their old village, and their family.  Let the light of Your good news penetrate all that they lost, and bring new life to their old home.  Help us to remember to pray for them daily as they face this amazing struggle in a land that is hostile toward You.  May we learn from their brave stand, and remember their example when we enter our own struggles.  In the loving name of Jesus, our Savior, Amen.

Source:  Open Doors